Page 120 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
“I don’t know how many times I’ve threatened to kill people for doing far less to Ry or Ted. I understand wanting to kill them, I really do, and a part of me wishes I could think differently, but I don’t. Either each life is precious or none of them are.” Donnie took in a slow breath that ended with a wet cough. “I took an oath to protect life because I believe life matters. And Grandma taught me the only one who can judge us is God. I don’t know how to change the way I think.”
“Who said you have to?” Cierra asked.
Taking the mug from him, she tipped it to his mouth where he took another sip.
After another hard, loud swallow, he leaned his head back against the pillows. “You said it yourself,” he said, his attention on Cierra. “If the answer to your offered help is an attempt on your life, the consequence is death.”
“I’m tired of all the death.” Elias’s face was drawn, his shoulders slumped forward, and voice tainted in fatigue. It was a rare showing of his true emotions that he typically kept bottled up.
Donnie looked back at him in surprise.
Ryenne rushed through the open door with Leah and Nate behind her. She took everyone in, slowly assessing Donnie and how much he’d improved while she was gone. Her lips tipped up at the way Cierra continued to help Donnie drink even though he’d stopped trembling.
“I didn’t realize you’d be the kind of sick person who needs to be pampered,” Ryenne said.
Nate tugged her to his side with a smile while Donnie glared at her as heat rose to his cheeks.
“If he’ll let you, maybe you can shave his scruffy face,” Ryenne teased. “For some reason, my brother won’t trust me with a razor near him.”
I snorted, but hell, it was good to be able to laugh. It was even better that the teasing came from Ryenne, who’d barely spoken since the day of the attacks.
But my spitfire friend still lived inside her.
“No idea why,” Nate muttered.
Using her knuckles, Cierra stroked the stubble on Donnie’s chin before her eyes widened and she pulled away. “I like the scruff,” she whispered.
Elias squeezed my hand, and when I looked at him, I wished I still had my mind-speak magic so we could talk, but his glistening eyes told me everything I needed to know.
Those two were so into each other. I grinned.
An uncomfortable silence built so I coughed to clear my throat.
“We should head out,” I said, pulling Elias toward the door. “Thank you for coming, Leah.”
“It’s good to see Donnie is doing better than expected,” she replied, a wry grin on her face.
“I’ll let Donnie or Cierra explain,” I said.
Donnie nodded, and this awkwardness that had never existed between us spread like a band ready to snap. With my hand tucked in Elias’s, I rushed us out of the room. Alastor greeted us in the living room with Chaka dangling from one foot. Koa and Bon watched from where they sat on the floor with baby Mimesoa in a small wooden cradle.
Elias let out a surprised laugh. “Wait a few years if you’re going to do that with our sons,” he said when Alastor turned to him.
Alastor smirked, lowering Chaka gently across the floor. “I’m fairly certain my cousin already told me the same thing.”
When Sama jumped on him, he caught her with ease before he tossed her high in the air. I smiled at the way Sama shouted with glee, her giggles growing louder with each toss, but then I saw the pain that lingered in Alastor’s eyes.
Alastor was incredibly adept at hiding. He wasn’t comfortable around most people and was even less comfortable admitting when he was hurt or needed help. Instead, he’d rather be the one offering aid, the one in control.
“Are you ready to go?” Alastor asked while Chaka tried to climb up his body.
Koa stood, stretching out his back while he waited.
Elias nodded. “Can you tell Javier to head out? We can meet them just outside the borders.”
“Why do I feel like I missed something?” I asked. “Are y’all coming with us to this informal talk-whatever?”
Bon laughed. “I’m not, but your mate asked Alastor and Koa to attend.”
